Sierra College Student Turning Tragedy into Hope
The Sacramento Bee had a great story this weekend about Eric Mee, a Sierra College student who lost his eyesight due to the loss of blood in a stabbing attack (this occurred at the American River, and isn’t related to the security incident on campus some weeks ago).
The story reminds us that we have a choice in how we deal with the challenges that come into our lives. It’s a great read…
Eric Mee lost so much blood when he was stabbed at the American River last year that his optic nerves died and left him blind, maybe for life.
The attack may have turned off the light in his eyes, but Mee says it regenerated an inner vision that has opened his soul to a new life’s path.
“Ever since I was little, I was a church-going kid. Then, in my senior year (at Casa Roble High School in Orangevale), I started walking away from the Lord,” the the 20-year-old community college student said.
“I was slipping up, going to parties, drinking and doing stupid kid stuff and I kept rationalizing it in my head, thinking, ‘There’s probably no God,’ ” he said. “The day I got stabbed, when I came to in the hospital, I realized God had me there for a reason. He’s basically bringing his servant back, saying, ‘Hey, kid. I got you. You got to follow me.’ ”
Since his tortuous recovery from the May 20, 2008, knife attack, Mee has been the star of his own speaking circuit. He’s addressed crowds at Sunrise Community Church, Carmichael Bible Church and Victory Christian School.
He is taking public speaking classes at Sierra College and thinking about becoming a pastor.
In a special ceremony this morning at the Board of Supervisors chambers at 700 H St., Mee is scheduled to receive an Outstanding Citizen Award from District Attorney Jan Scully.
The DA will be honoring a big kid whose carefree life of fishing, football and beer was derailed by his brush with death, which is leading him to a higher calling.
“The first time I called Eric to introduce myself, the first thing this 19-year-old kid said to me was, ‘I forgive these people,’ ” Deputy District Attorney Caroline Park said. “That’s the kind of kid Eric is. He’s never shown any kind of bitterness or sadness.”
Photo Credit: SacBee
